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Side Effect
Not yet published
Expected 26 Jan 27For fans of Dying for Sex and Nobody Wants This, a slow-burn romance with everything on the line.
Ruby’s job is Go on first dates; share her horror stories with the world. It’s a set-up that’s launched her into podcast stardom—all while giving her a convenient excuse to keep everyone at arm’s length, something she’s especially relieved about now that she’s learned she has stage 4 cancer. But then she has dinner with a mysterious dreamboat who she actually wants to see again, and he throws her for a loop of his He’s her new oncologist.
Ruby’s job is Go on first dates; share her horror stories with the world. It’s a set-up that’s launched her into podcast stardom—all while giving her a convenient excuse to keep everyone at arm’s length, something she’s especially relieved about now that she’s learned she has stage 4 cancer. But then she has dinner with a mysterious dreamboat who she actually wants to see again, and he throws her for a loop of his He’s her new oncologist.
- GenresRomance
Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 26, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
i’m never the biggest fan of novellas, because i feel like there’s simply not enough pages to really tell a story of build solid characters, and they’re always three stars or lower for me.
consider this an exception and also the start of a new obsession with 831 stories!!!!!
the story promises to be emotional, following a woman who’s recently been diagnosed with glioblastoma and who has struggled to find love her entire life. enter the first man who’s ever made her truly want a ‘second date’, who’s a walking green flag, who entered her life at the right time, even though it could be tragic and oh so painful.
i absolutely loved the way the romance was shown, it was more of a love story than just a cheesy little romcom, which is sort of what i was expecting, so that was a pleasant surprise. it wasn’t super instalovey, the characters had a genuine connection and chemistry that i could really feel through the pages, and they were just so 🥹 together. the way neal supported ruby through this absolutely terrifying time in her life was just so special and refreshing to read about.
even more of a pleasant surprise is how attached i grew to the characters, even the side ones like ruby’s family. i shed tears you guys!!!! over a novella!!! that was not on my 2026 bingo card but i’m so not mad about it. the fact that i was able to form that connection and see their growth throughout what is (i’m assuming) a sub-200 page story is so insane to me. just so well done, and it even had what i think was such a perfect way to end it and wrap everything together without rushing or making everything convenient. bit of an open-ending, sure, but it just worked.
now brb i need to go fall down a rabbit hole of 831 stories because, yeah, i think i’m obsessed.
thank you to netgalley and 831 stories for an arc, all opinions are my own!!
── .✦ pre read
already know this one’s gonna hurt ❤️🩹
consider this an exception and also the start of a new obsession with 831 stories!!!!!
the story promises to be emotional, following a woman who’s recently been diagnosed with glioblastoma and who has struggled to find love her entire life. enter the first man who’s ever made her truly want a ‘second date’, who’s a walking green flag, who entered her life at the right time, even though it could be tragic and oh so painful.
i absolutely loved the way the romance was shown, it was more of a love story than just a cheesy little romcom, which is sort of what i was expecting, so that was a pleasant surprise. it wasn’t super instalovey, the characters had a genuine connection and chemistry that i could really feel through the pages, and they were just so 🥹 together. the way neal supported ruby through this absolutely terrifying time in her life was just so special and refreshing to read about.
even more of a pleasant surprise is how attached i grew to the characters, even the side ones like ruby’s family. i shed tears you guys!!!! over a novella!!! that was not on my 2026 bingo card but i’m so not mad about it. the fact that i was able to form that connection and see their growth throughout what is (i’m assuming) a sub-200 page story is so insane to me. just so well done, and it even had what i think was such a perfect way to end it and wrap everything together without rushing or making everything convenient. bit of an open-ending, sure, but it just worked.
now brb i need to go fall down a rabbit hole of 831 stories because, yeah, i think i’m obsessed.
thank you to netgalley and 831 stories for an arc, all opinions are my own!!
── .✦ pre read
already know this one’s gonna hurt ❤️🩹
September 7, 2026
Thank you to 841 Stories and NetGalley for the arc!
Rtc
Rtc
September 1, 2026
First, thank you, NetGalley and 831 Stories, for letting me get an ARC of this book.
When I first read the comps, I knew I wanted to read the book, but I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, as there are a lot of books that have certain comps and, when reading them, I’m like, Where are the similarities? But with this one, it’s not the case. This book is literally as if Nobody Wants This and Dying for Sex had a baby.
It’s incredible how heartfelt and deep, but also incredibly funny, this book is, and it’s less than 200 pages. I’m amazed at how well thought-out it.
Unlike other 831 Stories books I have read, this one doesn’t have a perfectly wrapped-up HEA and has a more serious tone, as it deals with Ruby, the FMC, having cancer. So, if you are sensitive to reading about cancer, this may not be your cup of tea.
I read it in a little less than three hour, so is also perfect, if you are behind in your reading goals as I am.
When I first read the comps, I knew I wanted to read the book, but I wasn’t sure I was going to like it, as there are a lot of books that have certain comps and, when reading them, I’m like, Where are the similarities? But with this one, it’s not the case. This book is literally as if Nobody Wants This and Dying for Sex had a baby.
It’s incredible how heartfelt and deep, but also incredibly funny, this book is, and it’s less than 200 pages. I’m amazed at how well thought-out it.
Unlike other 831 Stories books I have read, this one doesn’t have a perfectly wrapped-up HEA and has a more serious tone, as it deals with Ruby, the FMC, having cancer. So, if you are sensitive to reading about cancer, this may not be your cup of tea.
I read it in a little less than three hour, so is also perfect, if you are behind in your reading goals as I am.
September 5, 2026
My contact fell out reading this while I ugly cried.
September 9, 2026
4.75⭐ Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy. This was by far one of the most beautiful books I’ve read. It's so short, and I need more right now! I cried throughout the entire book, and Ruby and Neal were so perfect together; I loved it. I always love an angsty romance book, and this was just perfect, but that ending caught me off guard because I wasn’t expecting it. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and kinda need to read the longer version. Thank you again to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Bring your tissues! This is a tear-jerker. I got Pride and Prejudice and Lizzie/Mr. Darcy vibes from these characters.
September 21, 2026
First of all, what an incredible introduction to NetGalley—and what a fantastic book to begin my return to ARC reviewing.
As a contemporary romance author working on my first novel, I tend to read romance with a fairly analytical eye. I’m always noticing structure, character arcs, pacing, and all the little mechanics beneath the story. But when the very first line of Side Effect hit like a bomb, all of that fell away. I was simply invested in the story.
I may also be slightly biased. I’ve worked in oncology for several years, so I have a particular soft spot for stories about cancer patients—and Ruby is a woman in her thirties, which made her feel especially close to home.
More than anything, though, I felt a real kinship with Ruby. Her instinct to protect her family from the realities of her diagnosis. Her tendency toward self-deprecation whenever she’s praised or complimented. The way she has spent years protecting herself while simultaneously craving connection. None of it felt like a collection of character traits; it felt like a person.
At first, I wondered if Ruby’s crushing, almost pining-level fixation on Neal felt a little unrealistic. But the more I considered her circumstances and her mindset, the more authentic it became. When you’re in your early thirties and confronted with something that enormous, I can absolutely imagine looking for something—anything—else to occupy your mind. And Neal gives her somewhere else to put all that energy.
Add in her relationship with her sister, her dynamic with her mother, and a cast of side characters I genuinely came to love, and I honestly struggled to find anything I didn’t enjoy.
I even loved that the ending wasn’t completely wrapped in a neat little bow. We got enough. We got what we needed. And the rest belongs to Ruby and Neal.
As for the Nobody Wants This comparisons: honestly, I didn’t find them particularly compelling beyond the characters’ respective professions. The stories themselves are very different. To me, Side Effect is a great example of how inspiration from existing stories or cultural touchstones can be used without simply recreating them.
All in all, I really, really loved this book. It’s the kind of story that leaves a little residue behind—the kind you find yourself thinking about days later, unexpectedly returning to certain characters or moments.
Side Effect left its mark on me, and I have a feeling Ruby and Neal will stay with me for a long time.
As a contemporary romance author working on my first novel, I tend to read romance with a fairly analytical eye. I’m always noticing structure, character arcs, pacing, and all the little mechanics beneath the story. But when the very first line of Side Effect hit like a bomb, all of that fell away. I was simply invested in the story.
I may also be slightly biased. I’ve worked in oncology for several years, so I have a particular soft spot for stories about cancer patients—and Ruby is a woman in her thirties, which made her feel especially close to home.
More than anything, though, I felt a real kinship with Ruby. Her instinct to protect her family from the realities of her diagnosis. Her tendency toward self-deprecation whenever she’s praised or complimented. The way she has spent years protecting herself while simultaneously craving connection. None of it felt like a collection of character traits; it felt like a person.
At first, I wondered if Ruby’s crushing, almost pining-level fixation on Neal felt a little unrealistic. But the more I considered her circumstances and her mindset, the more authentic it became. When you’re in your early thirties and confronted with something that enormous, I can absolutely imagine looking for something—anything—else to occupy your mind. And Neal gives her somewhere else to put all that energy.
Add in her relationship with her sister, her dynamic with her mother, and a cast of side characters I genuinely came to love, and I honestly struggled to find anything I didn’t enjoy.
I even loved that the ending wasn’t completely wrapped in a neat little bow. We got enough. We got what we needed. And the rest belongs to Ruby and Neal.
As for the Nobody Wants This comparisons: honestly, I didn’t find them particularly compelling beyond the characters’ respective professions. The stories themselves are very different. To me, Side Effect is a great example of how inspiration from existing stories or cultural touchstones can be used without simply recreating them.
All in all, I really, really loved this book. It’s the kind of story that leaves a little residue behind—the kind you find yourself thinking about days later, unexpectedly returning to certain characters or moments.
Side Effect left its mark on me, and I have a feeling Ruby and Neal will stay with me for a long time.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25 stars
THIS. Now this is the romance that I want to read about.
Love that is raw, that makes you feel, that doesn’t feel staged, and that in reality might just be about right timing and the right place. I haven’t felt like this in quite a while because I haven’t had much luck with rom-coms. Maybe it’s just me growing out of the genre, but THIS. This is exactly what I was craving.
I loved the setting, the romance, and the family dynamics in this book. Everything just worked so well together, and I found myself really invested in the story and the characters. Most importantly, I loved the pacing. I didn’t even realise this was a 200-page novella until I was reading someone else’s review. Everything was well laid out, and nothing felt rushed despite the shorter length.
My only qualm with the book is that the FMC’s reaction to finding out she has cancer felt a little underwhelming. I know I’m not her, and everyone processes devastating news differently, but I found her to be a little too calm for someone who had just found out that her lifespan might be shortened.
I also think it would have been even more interesting if we had gotten to explore more of Ruby’s job. I thought that was such a unique concept, and I would have loved to see more of that side of her and how it tied into the story.
But honestly, that aside, I really, really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for bringing this book to my attention and giving me the opportunity to read this amazing story. This is my first book from 831 Stories, but it definitely won’t be my last.
THIS. Now this is the romance that I want to read about.
Love that is raw, that makes you feel, that doesn’t feel staged, and that in reality might just be about right timing and the right place. I haven’t felt like this in quite a while because I haven’t had much luck with rom-coms. Maybe it’s just me growing out of the genre, but THIS. This is exactly what I was craving.
I loved the setting, the romance, and the family dynamics in this book. Everything just worked so well together, and I found myself really invested in the story and the characters. Most importantly, I loved the pacing. I didn’t even realise this was a 200-page novella until I was reading someone else’s review. Everything was well laid out, and nothing felt rushed despite the shorter length.
My only qualm with the book is that the FMC’s reaction to finding out she has cancer felt a little underwhelming. I know I’m not her, and everyone processes devastating news differently, but I found her to be a little too calm for someone who had just found out that her lifespan might be shortened.
I also think it would have been even more interesting if we had gotten to explore more of Ruby’s job. I thought that was such a unique concept, and I would have loved to see more of that side of her and how it tied into the story.
But honestly, that aside, I really, really enjoyed this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for bringing this book to my attention and giving me the opportunity to read this amazing story. This is my first book from 831 Stories, but it definitely won’t be my last.
Read
September 1, 2026A side effect to reading SIDE EFFECT will have you feeling so many emotions and the best kind of book hangover. No need to consult a doctor, because this love story is more than right for you.
As I was nearing the end, I was worried I wasn't going to have enough time with the characters, but the ending was so beautiful that I don't even mind that it ended when it did! And the author was able to create such emotional depth in this novella (more than entire novels do). So yes it may be a shorter read, but it still has the hefty weight and depth I always seek in a romance.
I deeply connected and related to Ruby in many, many ways. I loved her personality and how she moves through life through her humor. There are so many cute and sweet moments, funny moments, tender and sad moments that it was so easy to consume this book and for this book to consume me. It's raw and so real - beautifully reflects what it means to live and love fully.
It was an honor and privilege to have been able to meet Ruby and Neal and witness their story. I am so grateful to the author for writing this work of art and generously sharing it with all of us.
Much gratitude to 831 Stories for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
As I was nearing the end, I was worried I wasn't going to have enough time with the characters, but the ending was so beautiful that I don't even mind that it ended when it did! And the author was able to create such emotional depth in this novella (more than entire novels do). So yes it may be a shorter read, but it still has the hefty weight and depth I always seek in a romance.
I deeply connected and related to Ruby in many, many ways. I loved her personality and how she moves through life through her humor. There are so many cute and sweet moments, funny moments, tender and sad moments that it was so easy to consume this book and for this book to consume me. It's raw and so real - beautifully reflects what it means to live and love fully.
It was an honor and privilege to have been able to meet Ruby and Neal and witness their story. I am so grateful to the author for writing this work of art and generously sharing it with all of us.
Much gratitude to 831 Stories for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
September 19, 2026
ohmygod, this book ripped my heart out of my chest and threw it in a blender.
Imagine finding the love of your life on the exact same day you discover you have brain cancer. This story has so much love and so much pain. Literally a roller coaster of emotions the entire time. The fact that this is a debut novella is absolutely insane. I know this is going to be a huge hit when it is finally released.
This book is for the sad lover girls who love to feel. Just make sure youre ready to cry.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Imagine finding the love of your life on the exact same day you discover you have brain cancer. This story has so much love and so much pain. Literally a roller coaster of emotions the entire time. The fact that this is a debut novella is absolutely insane. I know this is going to be a huge hit when it is finally released.
This book is for the sad lover girls who love to feel. Just make sure youre ready to cry.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2026
Thank you to Paige and NetGalley for the ARC!!
Do you ever read a book and it's so perfect you don't have time to put it down? Like, you'll do the dishes while holding a copy of it, or you'll brush your teeth, embracing the way the book shakes in your hands? Well, if you haven't, this book will surely get you there.
Side Effect is one of my favorite 831 stories so far. While this might be classified as a "short story" or "novella," Paige Sander packs an entire book into these pages. Perfectly paced, perfectly told, sad and warm all at the same time. I cannot wait for more.
Do you ever read a book and it's so perfect you don't have time to put it down? Like, you'll do the dishes while holding a copy of it, or you'll brush your teeth, embracing the way the book shakes in your hands? Well, if you haven't, this book will surely get you there.
Side Effect is one of my favorite 831 stories so far. While this might be classified as a "short story" or "novella," Paige Sander packs an entire book into these pages. Perfectly paced, perfectly told, sad and warm all at the same time. I cannot wait for more.
September 20, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of this ARC.
I am a sucker for sad books and this one like actually destroyed me! I sobbed like a baby multiple times. I loved the writing style, I loved the story, I loved the character progression, like truly no notes!! All in less than 200 pages!!
I am a sucker for sad books and this one like actually destroyed me! I sobbed like a baby multiple times. I loved the writing style, I loved the story, I loved the character progression, like truly no notes!! All in less than 200 pages!!
September 16, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, 831 Stories and Paige Sander for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I laughed and cried…in the same sentence.
I couldn’t stop reading once I started it and stayed up way too late to finish it in one night.
This isn’t your average novella, it packs a punch with humor, pain and heart. It has a more serious storyline since the FMC has cancer but the storyline isn’t overshadowed by it.
I laughed and cried…in the same sentence.
I couldn’t stop reading once I started it and stayed up way too late to finish it in one night.
This isn’t your average novella, it packs a punch with humor, pain and heart. It has a more serious storyline since the FMC has cancer but the storyline isn’t overshadowed by it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
netgalley ARC
I FUCKING LOVED IT
I CRIED I SMILED I LAUGHED
IT'S EVERYTHING AND MORE
I FUCKING LOVED IT
I CRIED I SMILED I LAUGHED
IT'S EVERYTHING AND MORE
September 5, 2026
This was by far the most beautiful book I have ever read. I didn’t want it to end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
immediately when i started this book i was invested in it. it’s not very often that happens to me, when a story takes up all of ur focus from page one. after a couple of chapters i knew that this was a great book, unfortunately that feeling didn’t last all the way through to the end, but never once was i tired of it. this is a debut and you can tell it was but also not. i though the writing was really strong and felt very natural but there were a few choices that remained me that it was a debut. i’m personally not a fan of very modern writing/slang in books, when they reference thing that are specific to this point in time but this one did it in a way that i wasn’t bothered by it. i was a little irritated when they said things like “tiktok” but it never brought me out of the story. would i rather have them come up with another way of saying things like that? yes. but it felt very real and it still had somewhat of a timeless feeling to it. i could read this in ten years and it would still work.
since this is made to be a shorter book, there wasn’t as much depth to the characters as i hoped. but the cast of people we got was great. i enjoyed reading about all of them even if they didn’t get much attention. it was a little insta love between the leads but again, it’s a shorter book so it has to be moving fast. even with the limited time i though the story was quite detailed. we got to see a lot within the few weeks the story takes place during.
i went into this fairly blind and i don’t wanna spoil the premise too much, but i really enjoyed this plot even if it’s a heavier one for a romance. and i really liked the way it ended, i was pleasantly surprised by it and i’m impressed the author decided to end it where it ended
overall this is a great book with good writing, and i’m sure if the author keeps winning it’s gonna get even better. it could use some work but you can feel that it has a lot of potential. although i think the book suffers from being this short. there’s a lot of things happening and by it being around 200 pages it loses a lot of depth that would’ve have made this story and characters so much better. i would still recommend this to people and i had a great time reading it
3,5
thank netgalley for giving me an early copy
since this is made to be a shorter book, there wasn’t as much depth to the characters as i hoped. but the cast of people we got was great. i enjoyed reading about all of them even if they didn’t get much attention. it was a little insta love between the leads but again, it’s a shorter book so it has to be moving fast. even with the limited time i though the story was quite detailed. we got to see a lot within the few weeks the story takes place during.
i went into this fairly blind and i don’t wanna spoil the premise too much, but i really enjoyed this plot even if it’s a heavier one for a romance. and i really liked the way it ended, i was pleasantly surprised by it and i’m impressed the author decided to end it where it ended
overall this is a great book with good writing, and i’m sure if the author keeps winning it’s gonna get even better. it could use some work but you can feel that it has a lot of potential. although i think the book suffers from being this short. there’s a lot of things happening and by it being around 200 pages it loses a lot of depth that would’ve have made this story and characters so much better. i would still recommend this to people and i had a great time reading it
3,5
thank netgalley for giving me an early copy
September 5, 2026
Well, this novella totally gave me an emotional book hangover!
The story follows Ruby, a rising podcast star who uses her horror-story first dates as a convenient shield to keep people at arm's length… a defense mechanism she leans into heavily after being diagnosed with late-stage brain cancer. But when she connects with a mysterious, dream-worthy man named Neal, her careful boundaries shatter when he drops a massive curveball of his own: he's her new oncologist. It is an incredible, slow-burn romance that puts absolutely everything on the line.
I absolutely fell in love with these characters. In spite of the fact that there is no cover art and their physical descriptions are left mostly ambiguous, they were incredibly clear and vibrant in my mind. I was so completely locked into the story that I actually woke up at 4:30 in the morning just to finish it! It completely moved me to tears, leaving me with a genuinely tear-soaked pillowcase by the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. “Side Effect” is out January 26, 2027, and it is an absolute must-read!
The story follows Ruby, a rising podcast star who uses her horror-story first dates as a convenient shield to keep people at arm's length… a defense mechanism she leans into heavily after being diagnosed with late-stage brain cancer. But when she connects with a mysterious, dream-worthy man named Neal, her careful boundaries shatter when he drops a massive curveball of his own: he's her new oncologist. It is an incredible, slow-burn romance that puts absolutely everything on the line.
I absolutely fell in love with these characters. In spite of the fact that there is no cover art and their physical descriptions are left mostly ambiguous, they were incredibly clear and vibrant in my mind. I was so completely locked into the story that I actually woke up at 4:30 in the morning just to finish it! It completely moved me to tears, leaving me with a genuinely tear-soaked pillowcase by the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for providing an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. “Side Effect” is out January 26, 2027, and it is an absolute must-read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Side Effect by Paige Sander
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you 831 Stories and NetGalley for the ARC!
•Ruby is a young, 31 year old, podcaster living in NYC detailing her extensive dating life with the caveat of never having gone on a second date with any of them. She was also just given a, likely terminal, diagnosis of brain cancer. The day of her diagnosis she’s set to go on yet another date and in walks Neal, who changes the course of everything for Ruby. •
Wow, I’m not sure where to start. This was my first 831 Stories read and I absolutely LOVED it. Right from the first paragraph this story captures your attention and somehow, only being a short novella, keeps your attention and makes you feel so deeply for these characters.
The romance was also written beautifully, it took its time and paid off in the end. I loved their banter and ease with each other while also navigating a very difficult and potentially heartbreaking situation.
I read this in one day, which is not something I do often. RARELY does a book, especially one this short, to make me cry. But this one got me.
I genuinely don’t think I have anything negative to say about this book, highly recommend!
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you 831 Stories and NetGalley for the ARC!
•Ruby is a young, 31 year old, podcaster living in NYC detailing her extensive dating life with the caveat of never having gone on a second date with any of them. She was also just given a, likely terminal, diagnosis of brain cancer. The day of her diagnosis she’s set to go on yet another date and in walks Neal, who changes the course of everything for Ruby. •
Wow, I’m not sure where to start. This was my first 831 Stories read and I absolutely LOVED it. Right from the first paragraph this story captures your attention and somehow, only being a short novella, keeps your attention and makes you feel so deeply for these characters.
The romance was also written beautifully, it took its time and paid off in the end. I loved their banter and ease with each other while also navigating a very difficult and potentially heartbreaking situation.
I read this in one day, which is not something I do often. RARELY does a book, especially one this short, to make me cry. But this one got me.
I genuinely don’t think I have anything negative to say about this book, highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, 831 Stories, & Paige Sander for this Advanced Reader Copy.
Side Effects of reading this book: Extreme Emotional Distress!
This novella packs a punch between the pages. Imagine you are diagnosed with cancer when you feel as though you are still figuring life out. That’s what happens to Ruby in this book. Ruby is a relationship podcaster that broadcasts her first dates. She never makes it to second dates, that is, until she meets Neal. He makes her want more.
The relationship between Ruby and Neal is a sweet slow burn. I was invested in what would happen between them and would they make it to more dates with Ruby’s dating uncertainty and her cancer. The author doesn’t shy away from Ruby’s distress and thoughts during her diagnosis. We are right there with her at this crossroads in her life. Do you follow love when you’re facing down potential death?
I won’t spoil the ending and what happens to Ruby, but for me, this book serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to find love and figure your life out.
Side Effects of reading this book: Extreme Emotional Distress!
This novella packs a punch between the pages. Imagine you are diagnosed with cancer when you feel as though you are still figuring life out. That’s what happens to Ruby in this book. Ruby is a relationship podcaster that broadcasts her first dates. She never makes it to second dates, that is, until she meets Neal. He makes her want more.
The relationship between Ruby and Neal is a sweet slow burn. I was invested in what would happen between them and would they make it to more dates with Ruby’s dating uncertainty and her cancer. The author doesn’t shy away from Ruby’s distress and thoughts during her diagnosis. We are right there with her at this crossroads in her life. Do you follow love when you’re facing down potential death?
I won’t spoil the ending and what happens to Ruby, but for me, this book serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to find love and figure your life out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 ✨
First of all thank you to NetGalley and 831 stories for the arc. I really enjoyed Side Effect by Paige Sander. I was interested in the story from the very beginning and really liked the characters, especially Ruby. I thought her perspective as a dating podcaster was such a fun way to introduce the story, while also giving the book room to explore something much more serious and emotional.
I really liked the balance between the romance and Ruby dealing with her cancer diagnosis. It felt realistic and grounded, and I appreciated that the book didn’t make everything feel overly perfect or romanticized. The characters felt like real people trying to navigate a difficult situation while also figuring out their feelings.
I also really appreciated the hopeful ending. It didn’t feel unrealistically happy or tied up in a perfect little bow, but it still left me feeling hopeful, which worked really well for the story.
Overall, this was an engaging, emotional read with characters I enjoyed getting to know.
First of all thank you to NetGalley and 831 stories for the arc. I really enjoyed Side Effect by Paige Sander. I was interested in the story from the very beginning and really liked the characters, especially Ruby. I thought her perspective as a dating podcaster was such a fun way to introduce the story, while also giving the book room to explore something much more serious and emotional.
I really liked the balance between the romance and Ruby dealing with her cancer diagnosis. It felt realistic and grounded, and I appreciated that the book didn’t make everything feel overly perfect or romanticized. The characters felt like real people trying to navigate a difficult situation while also figuring out their feelings.
I also really appreciated the hopeful ending. It didn’t feel unrealistically happy or tied up in a perfect little bow, but it still left me feeling hopeful, which worked really well for the story.
Overall, this was an engaging, emotional read with characters I enjoyed getting to know.
August 24, 2026
This wasn’t the easiest read considering the very real and difficult struggle of the main character, which made it feel different than many romance novels and especially other novellas. Going into the story, I knew I wouldn’t get the perfectly wrapped up HEA based purely on the length and the depth of the characters and what they were going through. But I was absolutely enthralled by the author’s writing, by the characters and their decision making and relationships with one another and senses of humor and I was desperate to find out where it all was going to go. The amount of heart and depth brought to even side characters in a novella like this was so impressive. Sal!!! Finn!!! I was so surprised by how much I loved this and how beautifully it was written.
Thanks to 831 Stories and Edelweiss for the ARC!
Thanks to 831 Stories and Edelweiss for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a unique take on a romance novel. Ruby is a popular dating podcaster in her 30s when she is diagnosed with brain cancer. The day she receives her diagnosis, she also has the best first date of her life. Ruby must learn to navigate the world of hospitals, appointments and clinical trials while also struggling to open herself up romantically for the first time in a long time. The book was both somber and hopeful, if a little heavy. Ruby and the other characters do manage to infuse some humor into the story, but for the most part it's a pretty accurate representation of being sick in your 30s, knowing you have so much to live for but being terrified you won't be there to live it. Definitely skip if cancer is a trigger, but overall I thought it was well done.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, NetGalley and 831 Stories, for the ARC!!
This book knew how to pack a punch. I was emotionally invested almost immediately due to Ruby and her charming sense of humor (even on the worst day of her life).
We follow Ruby, who has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor and has a career based around going on first dates. She never goes on a second date and never really wants to until she meets Neil, who she is instantly intrigued by. The timing, of course, couldn't be worse.
I knew pretty quickly this one was going to break my heart because both the characters and the plot itself felt so real. Ruby was such a lovely character to follow, which made her diagnosis all the more heartbreaking, and Neil...NEIL!! What a man.
I truly did not think a love story with less than 200 pages would be able to win me over, but this one blew me out of the park.
This book knew how to pack a punch. I was emotionally invested almost immediately due to Ruby and her charming sense of humor (even on the worst day of her life).
We follow Ruby, who has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor and has a career based around going on first dates. She never goes on a second date and never really wants to until she meets Neil, who she is instantly intrigued by. The timing, of course, couldn't be worse.
I knew pretty quickly this one was going to break my heart because both the characters and the plot itself felt so real. Ruby was such a lovely character to follow, which made her diagnosis all the more heartbreaking, and Neil...NEIL!! What a man.
I truly did not think a love story with less than 200 pages would be able to win me over, but this one blew me out of the park.
September 21, 2026
Review of an ARC received from NetGalley
this book wrecked me 😭 I was all but sobbing in the break room at work so unprepared for the being of this story. I was not sure about the novella and went in skeptical, but I was obsessed with every aspect of this story. Ruby and Neal both had such a grip on their feelings and the story wasn’t too romcom but rather more of a true love story! Getting the POV of Ruby on the podcast at the end was beautiful. The part that truly wrecked me though was the celebration of life and how beautiful it must’ve been for her to experience that and still get to come back after surgery to live her life so full and now with love by her side! My first 831 story and I will be reading more!!
this book wrecked me 😭 I was all but sobbing in the break room at work so unprepared for the being of this story. I was not sure about the novella and went in skeptical, but I was obsessed with every aspect of this story. Ruby and Neal both had such a grip on their feelings and the story wasn’t too romcom but rather more of a true love story! Getting the POV of Ruby on the podcast at the end was beautiful. The part that truly wrecked me though was the celebration of life and how beautiful it must’ve been for her to experience that and still get to come back after surgery to live her life so full and now with love by her side! My first 831 story and I will be reading more!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ruby hosts a popular dating podcast all about first dates because she’s never interested in a second, which is also a great excuse to avoid getting close to anyone. That is until she meets Neal. They happen to go on a date the same day she receives the news that she has late stage brain cancer. Ruby’s crush on Neal is clearly ill-timed, as just when her life might be ending, she finally found a reason to look forward to the future.
This book is tiny but mighty and packs an emotional punch. I love Ruby and her need to find the humor in things. I could have taken this book as a full length novel just to get more of Neal.
Thanks to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC!
This book is tiny but mighty and packs an emotional punch. I love Ruby and her need to find the humor in things. I could have taken this book as a full length novel just to get more of Neal.
Thanks to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ve always wanted to read a book from 831 Stories, so I was SO excited when I got the chance to read an early copy Side Effect by Paige Sander! When I saw I was approved, I downloaded and read it in the same night!
I loved how unique the premise of the book is (she has cancer and he is her doctor). I really appreciated that this was a romance with depth. There was so much more to the story than just the romance.
This was definitely an emotional read, but I really enjoyed it and am so glad I finally got to read an 831 Stories book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley, 831 Stories, and Paige Sander for the e-arc.
I loved how unique the premise of the book is (she has cancer and he is her doctor). I really appreciated that this was a romance with depth. There was so much more to the story than just the romance.
This was definitely an emotional read, but I really enjoyed it and am so glad I finally got to read an 831 Stories book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley, 831 Stories, and Paige Sander for the e-arc.
September 20, 2026
Who knew a book under 200 pages could make me cry like that!! I like novellas, but I’ve never been completely invested in one as I have been with this one. the authors ability to make us care so deeply about the character and her family and this love story is just amazing! Even though it was a Novela, it was still a slow burn. their connection felt believable, and watching the character go through this journey made me cry multiple times lol. 831 stories are always just so good to me. They’re the pinnacle of romance novellas.
Selfishly, I wish I had more of this book, but I also feel like if it was any longer, it would’ve ruined the magic. The ending was perfect in my eyes.
Selfishly, I wish I had more of this book, but I also feel like if it was any longer, it would’ve ruined the magic. The ending was perfect in my eyes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Shoutout to NetGalley and 831 stories for getting me an ARC.
I have massive respect for writers who write novellas because they are tasked with writing a complete story with full characters, dynamics, and complexities all in the space of about 100-150 pages. This author cleverly uses the urgency of time to develop a sweeping romance between two characters that start off as virtual strangers. What could've passed off as cheesiness works given the backdrop the author chooses. As the main character says, 'a love story happens over time. A long time', but in the limited time this book has with its audience, it pulls off an impressive feat of selling a love story in that short span.
I have massive respect for writers who write novellas because they are tasked with writing a complete story with full characters, dynamics, and complexities all in the space of about 100-150 pages. This author cleverly uses the urgency of time to develop a sweeping romance between two characters that start off as virtual strangers. What could've passed off as cheesiness works given the backdrop the author chooses. As the main character says, 'a love story happens over time. A long time', but in the limited time this book has with its audience, it pulls off an impressive feat of selling a love story in that short span.
September 24, 2026
Super fast, heart-wrenching read UGH my heart
Despite it being so short, I do feel like I really connected to the characters and didn’t feel like the timeline was super rushed or anything (which usually happens in shorter novellas like this)
My only critique is some of the use of modern-isms or things that kind of took me out of the story and without which this would remain such a timeless love story I think (like we really don’t need to be mentioning TikTok pls and thx)
Thank you to NetGalley & 831 Stories for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Despite it being so short, I do feel like I really connected to the characters and didn’t feel like the timeline was super rushed or anything (which usually happens in shorter novellas like this)
My only critique is some of the use of modern-isms or things that kind of took me out of the story and without which this would remain such a timeless love story I think (like we really don’t need to be mentioning TikTok pls and thx)
Thank you to NetGalley & 831 Stories for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75/5
This was a short romance story about a woman with a dating podcast who has cancer and the guy she goes on a date with the day she finds out...he also turns out to be her doctor.
I was surprised by how much I liked this. I think because the cancer took a backseat. This was more about interpersonal relationships and less about how depressing being sick is.
And since it was under 200 pages, it read so fast. And usually short stories leave me wanting something, but this one was really solid!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
This was a short romance story about a woman with a dating podcast who has cancer and the guy she goes on a date with the day she finds out...he also turns out to be her doctor.
I was surprised by how much I liked this. I think because the cancer took a backseat. This was more about interpersonal relationships and less about how depressing being sick is.
And since it was under 200 pages, it read so fast. And usually short stories leave me wanting something, but this one was really solid!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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